We sent the above
candidates the following information for discussion as a
part of their invitation. The expected format for the
evening’s event is that each candidate will be given the
opportunity to speak to the points raised for 5 to 10
minutes. This is to be confirmed on the night. After
candidates are given the chance to speak, we’ll open for
questions at the end. It is clear that there is a lot to
cover from the discussion points below, so we are asking
that candidates respect time restraints declared at the
start of the forum.

Kind
Regards

Rawa
KaretaiRainbow Wellington
Chairperson

Transgender reform:
In many ways the transgender community is in a
similar position now to that faced by lesbians and gay men a
generation ago. It is having to face many of the same
difficulties, often based on the same ignorance and
prejudice, including from some who deny their very
existence. New Zealand is fortunate in having a major report
on transgender issues, To be who I am, published by the New
Zealand Human Rights Commission in 2007. RW has campaigned
from the outset for the implementation of all the
recommendations in this report. There have been many
successes, but the main area of difficulty remains the need
to amend primary legislation, in particular the Human Rights
Act (1993), the Citizenship Act (1977) and the Births,
Deaths, Marriages and Relationships Act (1995). We strongly
believe that it is up to Parliament to amend this
legislation as appropriate as soon as possible, rather than
relying on Court judgments as has appeared to be recent
policy, so that the definitive intent of Parliament is made
plain. Parliamentary time is expensive. For individual
citizens paying for court time to discern Parliament’s
intention the costs are prohibitive.

What priority does
your party give to enacting the recommendations of the HRC
(2007) report To be who I am? And to advancing the changes
in primary legislation required for
that?

Homophobic bullying in schools: The
existence of bullying and in particular, homophobic and
transphobic bullying in schools remains one the major
issues, for younger LGBTI people in particular. It has
become clear that legislation is needed, as has happened in
other countries, to ensure that all schools follow policies
to deal with bullying, and policies which cover homophobic
and and transphobic bullying as specific types in
particular. At present this only happens haphazardly,
largely because of opposition from some quarters. That is
why we believe that further legislation or specifically
targeted regulations are needed to ensure the implementation
of suitable policies and procedures that put the safety of
young LGBTI people first. Successive Youth Health reports
have highlighted the particular difficulties faced by
younger members of the communities that Rainbow Wellington
represents.

We want to know about the priorities you and
your party places on protecting the younger members of our
communities.

Adoption: The Adoption Act
1955 is becoming more of a farce every year, and patently
fails to reflect 21st century society. Same-sex married
couples can now adopt, but in reality this development
simply contributes to the growing confusion, which is again
being left to the Courts to sort out.

We are interested in
hearing your party’s plans to reform this Act at long
last.

Bill of Rights Act: RW submitted to
the Constitution Conversation, arguing that NZ BORA needs to
be strengthened, and the Commission supported this line. We
are concerned at how easily the Executive in Parliament can
ignore established human rights issues, despite the
so-called safeguards in the NZ Bill of Rights Act and Human
Rights Act. In particular, we urge the NZ Parliament to
ensure that the UN international covenants and their
protocols which we have signed up to, are fully supported in
our legislation.

What is your party’s current
views on these matters?

Sport:
Homophobia and transphobia in sport are other problem areas
for our communities, and NZ sporting associations are
generally not well advanced in dealing with these issues.
Whilst this is clearly primarily the responsibility of the
sporting bodies themselves, we believe it is the role of
Parliament and especially Government to encourage more
action in this area.

How important is work in this
area a priority for your
party?

Government Rainbow Desk:
The late Labour-led Govt established a Rainbow Desk
within the core public service to monitor such issues. That
was disbanded by the current Govt. What is your party's view
on how to embed full equality for all GLBTI people within
all Govt policies?

What priority will the next
Govt you are a part of give to these
issues?

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